Reviews tagging 'Fatphobia'

Vladimir by Julia May Jonas

24 reviews

jenniferpalmblad's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Misogyny, Medical trauma, Kidnapping, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, and Eating disorder

bronteysbooks's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

From the offset, I knew I loved the authors writing style. There’s so much descriptive language that even the more mundane parts are interesting to read about.

I loved the themes and complexity of issues in this book but it did differ to what I thought it was going to be from the blurb. It was less so about her infatuation with Vladimir, but more so about her relationships in general. I particularly found the dynamic between her and her daughter interesting, but I don’t really know that it was necessary to the plot?

I did find in that in the middle of the book the pacing slowed a bit and the plot seemed a bit chaotic in the sense that it deviated from one character to the next without ever fully exploring one particular dynamic. 

The ending was really good and the foreshadowing was definitely there leading up to it, however it did feel a tad rushed.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, and Fatphobia

Minor: Domestic abuse

savvylit's review

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The plot of this novel is delightful. An obsession slowly builds and builds until it explodes into deranged decisions. Well-executed and well-paced.
What I think Jonas does best, however, is characterization.

The narrator of Vladimir remains nameless throughout this novel. This authorial choice seems like the perfect reflection of what we readers come to know about our narrator: she hates herself and also fears being insignificant and forgotten. She's obsessed with nitpicking her aging physical body and 'controlling' her weight. Beyond that painful-to-read self-abasement, she also harshly judges everyone else. Page after page, the narrator insults her students, colleagues, family members, and even strangers. This constant judgment combined with her many escapist fantasies (usually including Vladimir) all add up to paint a portrait of a deeply insecure, discontent, and bitter woman.
And yet, Jonas has managed to make this unlikeable narrator's story both fascinating and sympathetic. I couldn't put it down.

If you're a fan of novels with unhinged/unlikeable female protagonists, you'll enjoy this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual assault, and Body shaming

hajarfoundi's review

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide, Mental illness, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Fatphobia, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Eating disorder, and Drug use

theabbadook's review

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Alcoholism, and Alcohol

Moderate: Fatphobia

bouebooks's review

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Drug use, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Infidelity, and Kidnapping

bootsmom3's review against another edition

challenging dark funny reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Fatphobia, and Infidelity

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, and Misogyny

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, and Drug use

liv_camryn's review

dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

Firstly, I need to admit that I’m not the target audience for this type of book. I chose to read this in a effort to step out of my comfort zone and to get out of a reading slump. 

Secondly, don’t let the cover make you think this is a romance - It’s more of a character study told from the perspective of a middle aged female professor, who, in my opinion, is completely unhinged. I wouldn’t go into this trying to like any of the characters - they all pretty much suck. 

My biggest problem with the book is that it brings up an abundance of important issues, such as the impact aging has on women, power differentials, addiction, depression and sexuality just to start. However, it never actually does anything with the issues it brings up. Nothing is ever resolved. There’s absolutely no character growth whatsoever. 

All of that being said, I thought the writing was done well and the narrative was engaging. I think if these kinds of books are your thing, you’d probably enjoy this book.
I can honestly say that I’m glad I read this if only for the fact the I’m happily running back to my plot driven, fast paced, fantasy novels and spicy romances.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Misogyny, and Body shaming

Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, Drug abuse, Addiction, and Sexism

kassfromtheinternet's review

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Pregnancy, Self harm, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

elizalavenza's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Drug use, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny

Minor: Pregnancy, Racism, and Suicide